Bruce Willis - Biography - IMDb Bruce Willis Biography Showing all 169 items Jump to: Overview (4) | Mini Bio (1) | Spouse (2) | Trade Mark (7) | Trivia (102) | Personal Quotes (36) | Salary (17) Overview (4) 6' (1.83 m) Mini Bio (1) Actor and musician Bruce Willis is well known for playing wisecracking or hard-edged characters, often in spectacular action films. Collectively, he has appeared in films that have grossed in excess of $2.5 billion USD, placing him in the top ten stars in terms of box office receipts. Walter Bruce Willis was born on March 19, 1955, in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany, to a German mother, Marlene K. (from Kassel), and an American father, David Andrew Willis (from Carneys Point, New Jersey), who were then living on a United States military base. His family moved to the U.S.

shortly after he was born, and he was raised in Penns Grove, New Jersey, where his mother worked at a bank and his father was a welder and factory worker. Willis picked up an interest for the dramatic arts in high school, and was allegedly "discovered" whilst working in a café in New York City and then appeared in a couple of off-Broadway productions. While bartending one night, he was seen by a casting director who liked his personality and needed a bartender for a small movie role. After countless auditions, Willis contributed minor film appearances, usually uncredited, before landing the role of private eye "David Addison" alongside sultry Cybill Shepherd in the hit romantic comedy television series Moonlighting (1985). The series firmly established Bruce Willis as a hot new talent, and his sarcastic and wisecracking P.I. was in effect a dry run for the role of hard-boiled NYC detective "John McClane" in the monster hit Die Hard (1988). This superbly paced action film balanced laconic humor and wholesale destruction as Willis' character single handedly battles a gang of ruthless international thieves in a Los Angeles skyscraper.

Willis reprized the role of tough guy cop "John McClane" in the eagerly anticipated sequel Die Hard 2 (1990) set at snowbound Washington's Dulles International Airport as a group of renegade Special Forces soldiers seek to repatriate a corrupt South American general. Excellent box office returns demanded a further sequel Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) this time also starring Samuel L. Jackson as a cynical Harlem shopowner unwittingly thrust into assisting McClane during a terrorist bombing campaign on a sweltering day in NYC. Willis found time out from all the action mayhem to provide the voice of "Mikey" the baby in the very popular family comedies Look Who's Talking (1989), and its sequel Look Who's Talking Too (1990) also starring John Travolta and Kirstie Alley . Over the next decade, Willis starred in some very successful films, some very offbeat films and some unfortunate box office flops.

The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990) and Hudson Hawk (1991) were both large scale financial disasters that were savaged by the critics, and both are arguably best left off the CVs of all the actors involved, however Willis was still popular with movie audiences and selling plenty of theatre tickets with the hyperviolent The Last Boy Scout (1991), the darkly humored Death Becomes Her (1992) and the mediocre police thriller Striking Distance (1993). During the 1990s, Willis also appeared in several independent and low budget productions that won him new fans and praise from the critics for his intriguing performances working with some very diverse film directors. He appeared in the oddly appealing North (1994), as a cagey prizefighter in the Quentin Tarantino directed mega-hit Pulp Fiction (1994), the Terry Gilliam directed apocalyptic thriller Twelve Monkeys (1995), the Luc Besson directed sci-fi opus The Fifth Element (1997) and the M. Night Shyamalan directed spine-tingling epic The Sixth Sense (1999).

Willis next starred in the gangster comedy The Whole Nine Yards (2000), worked again with "hot" director M. Night Shyamalan in the less gripping Unbreakable (2000), and in two military dramas, Hart's War (2002) and Tears of the Sun (2003) that both failed to really fire with movie audiences or critics alike. However, Willis bounced back into the spotlight in the critically applauded Frank Miller graphic novel turned movie Sin City (2005), the voice of "RJ" the scheming raccoon in the animated hit Over the Hedge (2006) and "Die Hard" fans rejoiced to see "John McClane" return to the big screen in the high tech Live Free or Die Hard (2007) aka "Die Hard 4.0". Willis was married to actress Demi Moore for approximately thirteen years and they share custody to their three children. - IMDb Mini Biography By: firehouse44@hotmail.com Spouse (2) Was high school student council president. His recording of "Respect Yourself" reached #5 in January 1987.

(June 24, 1998) He and Demi Moore announce they are ending their marriage of 11 years. No reasons given. Ranked #22 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. [October 1997] He was born on a military base in Germany. His mother, Marlene, was German, and was born in Kassel, Germany. His father, David Willis, was American-born, and had English, and smaller amounts of Dutch, French, Irish and Welsh ancestry. Has appeared on Late Show with David Letterman (1993) to advertise for Demi Moore 's Striptease (1996) by doing his own undressing act (1996). As a young man, his personality was very much like that of the character that he portrayed on Moonlighting (1985). He was always getting into trouble because of this and was bodily ejected from parties by the hosts for being obnoxious. Has been very vocal in his support of almost every major Republican candidate in recent history except Bob Dole .

He felt that presidential candidate Dole was out of line in his attacks on Demi Moore and her role in the movie Striptease (1996). Was the first actor to ever "act" in a video game ( Apocalypse (1998)). No one before had ever done voice work along with having their likeness and movements digitally added to the game, as well as receiving prominent billing on the game's cover. Has stated, in 1997, 2001 and 2013, that he will no longer be doing violent action or "save-the-world" movies. Wears his watch upside down with the face on the inside of his hand. This is also visible in many movies he has done ( Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Mercury Rising (1998), etc.) where they have not requested him to flip this over. Memorial Day weekend, 1987: Was arrested after reportedly disturbing the peace and assaulting a police officer who was called to quiet a raucous party at his home. The charges were dropped after Willis agreed to apologize to his neighbors. Acting helped him to overcome a debilitating childhood stutter.

In an interview with GQ magazine [March 2013], Willis revealed: "I had a terrible stutter. But then I did some theater in high school and when I memorized words, I didn't stutter, which was just miraculous. That was the beginning of the gradual dispelling of my stutter. I thought I was handicapped. I couldn't talk at all. I still stutter around some people now.". His younger brother Robert Willis died of pancreatic cancer at age 42 (2001). Was originally cast as Terry Benedict in Ocean's Eleven (2001) but dropped out. Attended Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey. Set a new benchmark for actors' salaries when he was paid $5 million for Die Hard (1988) in 1988. Eight years later, his wife, Demi Moore , set a benchmark of $12 million with Striptease (1996). His ineptness as a waiter forced him to become a bartender. Was named Man of the Year by Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals. [February 2002] Was president of a drama club at school.

Worked in a chemical factory before going to college. He filled in as a last-minute host for David Letterman on February 26, 2003, a show he was supposed to be the guest for. This was Letterman's first "sick day" in 20 years (other than his time off for heart surgery). Ranked #3 in Star TV's Top 10 Box Office Stars of the 1990s (2003). Lives in Hailey, Idaho, where he owns the Mint bar and the Liberty Theater. He also owns the old Hailey Drug Store, but the building has been vacant and unused since the early 1990s. The scar on his right shoulder is from surgery due to complications from a broken arm when he was age 17. Personally recommended Bonnie Bedelia for the role of his estranged wife in Die Hard (1988). Is the hero of singer Nick Lachey . Lachey's ex-wife, Jessica Simpson , unsuccessfully auditioned for the role of Kate McClane, John McClane's daughter in Live Free or Die Hard (2007).

He ad-libbed many of John McClane's one-liners in the "Die Hard" films. Attended and graduated from Penns Grove High School in Penns Grove, New Jersey. His class voted him "Most School Spirit" (1973). Recommended Michael Clarke Duncan to play the role of John Coffey in The Green Mile (1999). (October 20, 2004) Sued Revolution Studios for unspecified damages related to a blow to his forehead that he received during "ultrahazardous activity" involved in the filming of Tears of the Sun (2003). He claims that it has caused him extreme mental, physical and emotional pain and suffering. Attended the Stella Adler Conservatory / Theatre program in New York City for three years. Plays the harmonica. France awarded him Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters in April 2005. "France pays homage to an actor who represents the force of American cinema and the power of emotions that he invites us to share on screens throughout the world", Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres said. "I'm nervous. Bonjour Paris", he replied.

(June 2, 2004) After dating Brooke Burns for ten months and finally being engaged to her, they decided to separate because of the difficulties with maintaining a long-distance relationship. Was chosen to play John McClane in Die Hard (1988) because the producers felt he brought warmth and humor to an otherwise cold and humorless character. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone had turned down the role. Has been special ambassador of his birth town Idar-Oberstein since his 50th birthday. Ten directors cast him at least twice in their films: Blake Edwards , Amy Heckerling , Rob Reiner , Robert Benton , John McTiernan , Alan Rudolph , 'M. Night Shyamalan', Quentin Tarantino , Robert Rodriguez and Barry Levinson . Along with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Charlton Heston , Willis was one of very few Hollywood celebrities to publicly support the Iraq war. While visiting the troops in 2003, he offered $1 million of his own money for the man who would capture Saddam Hussein . When Hussein was captured, it turned out that military rules prevent troops from collecting such a reward.

Served as a delegate at the Republican National Convention in 1992. In 2000, he was unable to narrate a biographical film of previous presidents to be shown at the RNC due to scheduling conflicts. Has worked closely with two promising child stars: Miko Hughes in Mercury Rising (1998) and 'Haley Joel Osment' in The Sixth Sense (1999). The boys had major roles in the films opposite him. Announced his intention to make a film in which American soldiers will be depicted as brave fighters for freedom and democracy. This will be based on the exploits of the heavily decorated members of "Deuce Four", the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry, which has spent the past year battling insurgents in the northern Iraqi town of Mosul. Willis attended Deuce Four's homecoming ball this month in Seattle, Washington, where the soldiers are on leave, along with Stephen J. Eads , the producer of Armageddon (1998) and The Sixth Sense (1999).

The actor said that he was in talks about a film of "these guys who do what they are asked to for very little money to defend and fight for what they consider to be freedom". Willis is likely to take on the role of the unit's commander, Lieutenant Colonel Erik Kurilla. [November 2005] Honored in Paris for his contribution to the film industry, by the French government. The actor was awarded Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters at a ceremony in the capital, where he was presented with his honor by French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres . de Vabres said, "This is France's way of paying tribute to an actor who epitomizes the strength of American cinema, the power of the emotions that he invites us to share on the world's screens and the sturdy personalities of his legendary characters." Willis replied in French that he was "very touched" to receive his medal, adding, "Thank you France and Culture Minister for this great, great honor." (April 13, 2005).

In November 2005, he offered $1 million of his own money to anyone who turns in al-Qaeda terror leaders Osama bin Laden , Ayman Al-Zawahiri or 'Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi', the alleged brains behind the 9/11 attacks. Willis announced his reward on the American television show Rita Cosby Live & Direct (2005), where he also criticized what he claimed to be "biased" media coverage of the Iraq war. (July 23, 2002) Appointed by President George W. Bush as national spokesman for Children in Foster Care. His performance as John McClane in the "Die Hard" trilogy is ranked #46 on Premiere magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time. He and Linda Fiorentino were employed as bartenders in the early 1980s at the Kamikaze Club in New York City. Little Richard presided over his wedding to Demi Moore and Ally Sheedy was one of the bridesmaids. Married Demi Moore at the Golden Nugget Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Turned down the role of Sam Wheat in Ghost (1990) because he did not think the plot would work and that playing a ghost would be detrimental to his career. Ironically, he played a ghost in The Sixth Sense (1999), which was a critical success and is widely regarded as one of his best performances. He apologized to Colombia after blaming the nation for America's drug problems. The star insisted the United States is as much to blame for the prolific trade and confessed he didn't mean to single out any one country as the supplier. He told the New York Daily News, "I said Colombia because it was the first country to come to mind." The actor was dubbed "ignorant" and "ungrateful" by the Colombian president for his comments in March 2006, and advised not to base his arguments on "Hollywood clichés". In November 2000, he urged his fans to vote for Republican candidate George W. Bush in the presidential election. He told an interviewer, "If you guys vote for Al Gore , you're out of your minds ... Gore's a knucklehead ...

just the lying and mendacity of the last eight years of the regime that Al Gore was a part and parcel of ... I mean, there is only so much lying the American people will take before they go, 'Uh, this doesn't seem like a good idea.' You have to look at what he does and what he stands for.". He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6915 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on October 16, 2006. The ceremony was attended by his friends Don Johnson , Sylvester Stallone and Kevin Costner . Stepfather of his three daughters with Demi Moore is Ashton Kutcher . Has three younger siblings: Florence Willis, David Willis and Robert Willis. Often supports the careers of other actors he has met on set, and asks they be given supporting roles on later films, most famously Michael Clarke Duncan , whom he worked with on The Whole Nine Yards (2000), asked for him on Armageddon (1998) and suggested him to the producers of The Green Mile (1999).

Other actors include Billy Bob Thornton ( Armageddon (1998), Bandits (2003)), Johnny Messner ( Tears of the Sun (2003), The Whole Ten Yards (2004)), Nick Chinlund (Tears of the Sun (2003), The Kid (2000)) and Cole Hauser ( Hart's War (2002), Tears of the Sun (2003)). Met and befriended Matthew Perry on the set of The Whole Nine Yards (2000) and then appeared on Friends (1994) at Perry's request.

Has appeared in 14 movies with numbers in the title: The First Deadly Sin (1980), Twelve Monkeys (1995), Four Rooms (1995), The Fifth Element (1997), The Sixth Sense (1999), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), 16 Blocks (2006), The Whole Ten Yards (2004), Die Hard 2 (1990), Loaded Weapon 1 (1993), Ocean's Twelve (2004), Catch .44 (2011), The Expendables 2 (2012) and RED 2 (2013). Has the distinction of playing two psychologists who have suffered serious work-related emotional trauma: Dr. Bill Capa in Color of Night (1994) and Dr. Malcolm Crowe in The Sixth Sense (1999).

Ironically, Color of Night (1994) was a box-office bomb and was widely ridiculed by critics (this movie did much better business in home video market, though), while The Sixth Sense (1999) became a box-office smash and received several Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. During the Lebanon crisis, Willis signed his name on an ad in the Los Angeles Times in support of Israel, along with Nicole Kidman and numerous other Hollywood celebrities. He was the only celebrity that attended Julia Roberts ' wedding to Daniel Moder . Their friendship is referred to in Ocean's Twelve (2004), when he mistakes Tess Ocean for Julia Roberts, and asks her about 'Danny'. Is a huge supporter of NFL team New York Jets. Has named his acting idols as Robert De Niro , Gary Cooper , Steve McQueen and John Wayne . Endorsed his friend and former co-star Fred Dalton Thompson in his failed bid to win the Republican nomination for the 2008 presidential election. Maxim magazine had named his sex scenes in Color of Night (1994) as the best sex scenes ever in film history.

Became the first actor to guest star on Friends (1994) and win an Emmy Award in the Outstanding Guest Actor category for their performance. Was considered for the role of Kyle Reese in The Terminator (1984), which went to Michael Biehn . Thanked by the rock band Blink 182 in the liner notes of their album "Enema of the State" (1999). (March 21, 2009) Bruce married his girlfriend of a year, Emma Heming , at his home in Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos. Among the guests at his wedding to Emma Heming were his three daughters, Demi Moore , Ashton Kutcher and Madonna . He visited Michael Jackson on the set of filming the "Smooth Criminal" segment for Moonwalker (1988). Also visiting the set were Gregory Peck and Robert De Niro . Was in consideration for the role of Lester Burnham in American Beauty (1999) but Kevin Spacey , who went on to win a Best Actor Oscar for his performance, was cast instead. Has appeared with Samuel L.

Jackson in four films: Loaded Weapon 1 (1993), Pulp Fiction (1994), Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995) and Unbreakable (2000), even though they only shared scenes together in the last two. Was friends with John Goodman , during their New York City struggling actor days. Admitted to Playboy magazine in 1996 that he was once arrested at age 19 for possessing two joints. Filmed his role in the mystery thriller Mortal Thoughts (1991) in ten days. Met Demi Moore at a screening of Emilio Estevez 's film, Stakeout (1987). Although she was seeing Estevez at the time, they were married four months later. Lives in Los Angeles, Malibu, California and Hailey, Idaho. Inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2011 for his contributions to Arts and Entertainment. Is left-handed and is displayed in most of his films. In The Sixth Sense (1999), he learned to write with his right hand so this would not be so easily noticeable that his character was not wearing his wedding ring.

Is mentioned in Nicki Minaj 's song "Your Love". Credits Will Smith with helping him come to terms with his divorce from Demi Moore , and accepting Ashton Kutcher as her new husband. Has regularly been named on "Best Celebrity Tippers" lists over the years. This is largely due to his early "struggling" waiter/bartender days. He was awarded Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, the highest French culture award, in Paris, France [February 12, 2013]. Once made an album ("The Return of Bruno" (1987)) that sold a million copies in the United Kingdom. Became a father for the first time at age 33 when his [now ex] first wife Demi Moore gave birth to their daughter Rumer Glenn Willis, aka Rumer Willis , on August 16, 1988. Became a father for the second time at age 36 when his [now ex] first wife Demi Moore gave birth to their daughter Scout LaRue Willis on July 20, 1991.

Became a father for the third time at age 38 when his [now ex] first wife Demi Moore gave birth to their daughter Tallulah Belle Willis on February 3, 1994. Became a father for the fourth time at age 57 when his second wife Emma Heming gave birth to their daughter Mabel Ray Willis on April 1, 2012. As of 2014, has appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: The Verdict (1982), Pulp Fiction (1994) and The Sixth Sense (1999). Is mentioned in the song "Jizz in My Pants" by The Lonely Island. One of the song's composers, Jorma Taccone , shares his birthday with Willis. Became a father for the fifth time at age 59 when his second wife Emma Heming gave birth to their daughter Evelyn Penn Willis on May 5, 2014. Willis has played many roles whose character names have the letter "J" in the beginning.

Examples include Die Hard (1988) (John McClane), Mercury Rising (1998) (Art Jeffries), Hostage (2005) (Jeff Talley), Mortal Thoughts (1991) (James Urbanski), Twelve Monkeys (1995) (James Cole), The Whole Nine Yards (2000) (Jimmy "The Tulip" Tudeski), Sin City (2005) (John Hartigan) and the title role in The Jackal (1997). Has played five characters more than once in the movies: Hartigan from the Sin City films, John McClane from the Die Hard films, Frank from the Red films, Church from the Expendables films, and Jimmy "The Tulip" Tudeski from the Whole Nine Yard films. His "Inside the Actors Studio" interview was taped on September 10, 2001. The episode was respectfully dedicated by Willis and the Actors Studio Drama School "to the heroes who fell September 11th - and to the heroes who fight on.".

In 2015, he did a Broadway show of Stephen King 's "Misery" with Laurie Metcalf . The Scots-English language name Bruce arrived in Scotland with the Normans, from the place name Brix of the Manche département in Normandy, France, meaning "the willowlands". Initially promulgated via the descendants of King Robert I of Scotland (Robert the Bruce) (1274-1329), it has been a Scottish surname since medieval times; it is now a common given name. Willis, a variant of the name William, is a surname, of Scottish and English origin meaning (Son of Willie). The name William comes ultimately from the given name Wilhelm (cf. Old German Wilhelm > German Wilhelm and Old Norse Vilhjálmr). That is a compound of two distinct elements : wil = "will or desire" and helm: Old English helm "helmet, protection"; > English helm "knight's large helmet". Has been in three movies where he meets a younger version of himself: Twelve Monkeys (1995), The Kid (2000) and Looper (2012).

Has twice played a hit man: The Jackal (1997) and The Whole Nine Yards (2000). The Whole Ten Yards (2004) really can not be counted because his character, Jimmy Tudeski was retired. I'm much more proud of being a father than being an actor. You can't undo the past... but you can certainly not repeat it. I'm staggered by the question of what it's like to be a multimillionaire. I always have to remind myself that I am. [on how he stays in shape, interview in People.com, 10 March 2005] Mostly weight resistance training, almost an hour of cardio at least three times a week. I have a gym in my house in Los Angeles and a gym trailer that I can take on the road with me when I'm on location. At my house there's a very long steep driveway. I do wind sprints that kick my 50-year-old ass. It's part of my job. I have come to associate working out as work. Whenever I don't have to do it for films, I kind of slack off. I am a sensitive guy.

People think they know the real me, but they don't. And then they write things that make me sound like such a jerk. I hate working out. I work out for films solely. I associate working out with films. As soon as they stop, I stop working out. Fifty is the new forty. I always thought my best work would come in the years forty to sixty, if I was fortunate enough to hang around - and it is hard to stick around. Who I am as a father is far more important to me than the public perception. I am baffled to understand why the things that I saw happening in Iraq, really good things happening in Iraq, are not being reported on. [on Hudson Hawk (1991)] I always thought it was a little ahead of its time, a little too hip for the room. I think the rules are going to have to change for me to ever run for public office. My checkered past will always keep me out of politics. If I ever did run I would run on the platform that I did all these bad things, but I no longer do them, and during the four years of being president or whatever office it might be, I would be good and serve my country.

I want to serve my country. I'm a Republican only as far as I want a smaller government, I want less government intrusion, I want them to stop pissing on my money and your money, the tax dollars that we give 50 percent of, or 40 percent of, every year, and I want them to be fiscally responsible, and I want these goddamn lobbyists out of Washington. Do that and I'll say I'm a Republican. But other than that, I want the government to take care of people who need help, like the kids in foster care, the half a million kids who are in orphanages right now - they call them foster homes, but they're orphanages. I want them to take care of the elderly and give them free medicine, give them whatever they need. There's tons, billions and billions of dollars that are just being wasted. Okay? I hate government. I'm apolitical. Write that down: I'm not a Republican. [February 2006] Look at what happened to James Frey in the last two weeks. That's a great book and so is the follow-up book.

And just because his publisher chose to say that these were memoirs, it took it out of being a work of fiction, a great work of fiction and very well-written to this guy having to go be sucker punched on The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986) by one of the most powerful women in television just to grind her own ax about it. Hey Oprah, you had President [ Bill Clinton ] on your show and if this prick didn't lie about a couple of things I'm going to set myself on fire right now. James Frey is a writer, okay? He can write whatever he wants. It's fiction, and it's just hard, it's just shameful how he was treated in some of these things. It's just shameful and it's just not fair and not right... I'm not an action hero anymore, and I think it would be inappropriate for me to compare anything that happens in Hollywood and the entertainment industry to the tragic loss of life on September 11th. I spoke to the Colombians. It's fine. I get passionate sometimes. I said Colombia because it was the first country to come to mind. The drug problem has as much to do with what's going on in this country.

If there wasn't a demand, there wouldn't be a supply. I think what the United States, and everyone who cares about protecting the freedoms that the largest part of the free world now has, should do whatever it takes to end terrorism in the world and not just in the Middle East. I'm talking also about going to Colombia and doing whatever it takes to end the cocaine trade. It's killing this country. It's killing all the countries that coke goes into. I believe that somebody's making money on it in the United States. If they weren't making money on it, they would have stopped it. They could stop it in one day. It's just a plant that they grow, and these guys are growing it like it's corn or tobacco or any other thing. By the time it gets here, it becomes a billion dollar industry. And I think that's a form of terrorism as well. The Iraqi people want to live in a world where they can move from their homes to the market and not have to fear being killed. I mean, doesn't everybody want that? I have zero interest in performing in films to try to convey any kind of message. My job is to be entertaining.

There's a very different point of view about messages in films in Europe than there is in the States. Audiences rebel because they feel that they are being preached to. [on his planned film about the Iraq war] The movie is about these guys who do what they are asked for very little money to defend and fight for what they consider to be freedom. I thought about signing up but my friends told me I was too old. I called the White House, called President [ George Bush ] and asked what I could do. So I got involved with the national foster care program. If you take guns away from legal gun owners then the only people who would have guns would be the bad guys. Even a pacifist would get violent if someone were trying to kill him or her. You would fight for your life, whatever your beliefs. You'd use a rock or tear one of these chairs out of the floor. Hey, maybe I've been watching too many Bruce Willis movies! I'm always being accused of being a Hollywood Republican, but I'm not! I have just as many Democratic ideas as Republican ones. If they could build three fewer bombs every month and give the money to foster care, that would be great.

The idea of serving my country remained in my mind. Over the past few years from varying sources - Time magazine, books, and television - information began coming to my attention on Foster Care; its history and the current crisis of an antiquated system overburdened with 580,000 children who have no voice. Children need to be protected by interstate technology systems that can track placements, education, medical records and protect these children from predators traveling from state to state. I saw Foster Care as a way for me to serve my country in a system by which shining a little bit of light could benefit a great deal by helping kids who were literally wards of the government. Hair loss is God's way of telling me I'm human. [1998] Organized religions in general, in my opinion, are dying forms. They were all very important when we didn't know why the sun moved, why weather changed, why hurricanes occurred or volcanoes happened. Modern religion is the end trail of modern mythology. But there are people who interpret the Bible literally. Literally! I choose not to believe that's the way. And that's what makes America cool, you know?

I don't think my opinion means jack shit, because I'm an actor. Why do actors think their opinions mean more because you act? You just caught a break as an actor. There are hundreds - thousands - of actors who are just as good as I am, and probably better. Have you heard anything useful come out of an actor's mouth lately? Although I liked George Clooney 's documentary on Darfur. They still haven't caught the guy that killed [ John F. Kennedy ]. I'll get killed for saying this, but I'm pretty sure those guys are still in power, in some form. The entire government of the United States was co-opted. I happen to live in Los Angeles and it is probably one of the most toxic environments on earth. People live here and they know that the air is poisonous. They know that children are affected by the air in Los Angeles. They say that growing up in Los Angeles is the equivalent of smoking a pack and a half of cigarettes throughout your entire childhood. It's horrific when you can actually look at the air and see it. No, I am not in favor of the war in Iraq, so let me stop you right there.

I am not pro-war but what I am is that, I like to support the young men and women who are over there participating in the war. [on Twitter] I just can't live with myself if I started twittering. I just think: "That way lies madness". [on The Expendables (2010) sequel] I talked to Sly [ Sylvester Stallone ] and he's going for all the marbles this time, and he's going to get everybody in this time. Even Stone Cold Steve Austin , who took two bullets in the last film, is coming back. Hopefully, they'll start shooting it while we're young enough to survive! [on the possibility of Michael Bay directing a a Die Hard film, specifically Live Free or Die Hard (2007)] Would have ruined DH4. Few people will work with him now, and I know I will never work with him again. [on whether an R-rated 'Die Hard' could be done without producer Joel Silver ] Fuck Joel Silver. That is because you do not understand my relationship with Joel S. We are cordial now when we bump into each other, but we have not worked together since The Last Boy Scout (1991).

I'm really pleased to continue to be asked back to do other versions and other incarnations of Die Hard (1988). The first one really is... that's all there is. Everything else is just trying to be as good as that film. [on A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)] It's a difficult title. A Good Day to Die Hard? It's like, have a sandwich and let's go shopping - then die hard. I want to do A Good Day to Die Hard (2013), then one final Die Hard movie - Die Hard 6 - before finally hanging that white vest up for good. At the moment, I can run and I can fight on screen. But there will come a time when I no longer want to do that. That's when I'll step away from the Die Hard films. Salary (17) Bruce Willis | American actor | Britannica.com American actor Alternative Title: Walter Bruce Willis Bruce Willis Robert Redford Bruce Willis, in full Walter Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955, Idar-Oberstein, West Germany ), American actor best known for his performances in blockbuster action films, particularly the Die Hard series.

Willis was born in West Germany, where his father was stationed at an American military base, and the family moved to New Jersey in 1957. After high school graduation he took a series of odd jobs before studying theatre at Montclair State College . He dropped out of college and moved to New York City , where he began his acting career with Off-Broadway roles and appearances in television commercials. Willis had a number of small film roles in the early 1980s before he was hired as a wisecracking detective opposite Cybill Shepherd in the television sitcom Moonlighting (1985–89). The show made Willis a household name and helped to launch his film career. In the film Die Hard (1988), Willis portrayed the cynical but good-natured New York City police detective John McClane, who finds himself embroiled in a terrorist attack on a Los Angeles office building. The film was a major box-office success and helped establish Willis as a leading action hero.

It also spawned the sequels Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990), Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), and A Good Day to Die Hard (2013). Willis took roles in a number of violent and darkly comedic films, including Pulp Fiction (1994), in which he played a professional boxer who double-crosses a mobster after agreeing to throw a fight; 12 Monkeys (1995), about a convict sent back in time to investigate a virus that devastated humankind; and The Fifth Element (1997), a visually impressive science-fiction action film. While he continued to act in large-budget action films—including Armageddon (1998) and Tears of the Sun (2003)—Willis also appeared in comedies, including The Whole Nine Yards (2000). In 1999 he starred in The Sixth Sense as a psychologist who counsels a child who claims to see dead people. The drama, which was written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, was a critical and commercial success.

Willis reteamed with Shyamalan on the supernatural thriller Unbreakable (2000). Willis’s subsequent films include the stylized Sin City (2005), which was adapted from Frank Miller ’s graphic novel series; the thriller 16 Blocks (2006); and the buddy comedy Cop Out (2010). He also appeared in the action franchises Red (2010, 2013), as a retired CIA agent, and The Expendables (2010, 2012), as an active one. The latter series brought together several aging stars of the genre . Among Willis’s other roles in 2012 were a lonely cop in the whimsical Moonrise Kingdom , a time-traveling hit man in the sci-fi thriller Looper, and a professional gambler in the comedy-drama Lay the Favorite. G.I. Joe: Retaliation, released the following year, provided another rugged action role for the prolific actor. In 2014 Willis reprised his Sin City role in the sequel Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.

He played a mercenary in Barry Levinson ’s musical comedy Rock the Kasbah (2015) and a kidnapped former spy in the action flick Extraction (2015). Britannica Stories Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight - ComingSoon.net Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight By Jenna Busch SHARE In honor of the actor’s birthday, we’ve got a guide to the best Bruce Willis movies Actor Bruce Willis is known for his smirk, his swagger and his string of very quotable action films. Though his roles range from space cop to aging secret agent, he’s always the tough guy with the quippy lines. He started as an Off-Broadway actor, but after his stint on Moonlighting in the 1980s, he was the go-to guy for blue collar heroes. Willis has won two Emmy Awards, one for his appearance as Rachel Gellar’s (Jennifer Aniston) much older boyfriend on the NBC sitcom Friends, two Golden Globe awards and was nominated for a Saturn Award a whopping four times. He also had a few flops like Hudson Hawk, which he also wrote. Then there was that Seagram’s Golden Wine Cooler ad that you just have to look up on YouTube . Trust us.

It will be worth it. He sings, you guys. Willis turns 61 on March 19. Happy birthday Bruce! Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight: Moonlighting (1985-1989) Willis’ first breakout role was on the ABC TV series Moonlighting opposite Cybil Shepherd. He played David Addison Jr., a role which won him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy. Addison was smarmy yet charming as the lead detective at the City of Angels Detective Agency. The chemistry between he and Shepherd’s Maddie Hayes was palpable, but when the show finally hooked them up in a glass table-shattering, swear word-filled coupling, the show tanked. It was one of the earliest examples of happy couples ending shows.

Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight: Die Hard (1988) 1988’s Die Hard is probably one of Willis’ best-known roles, which he reprised in Die Hard 2 (1990), Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995), Live Free or Die Hard (2007) and A Good Day to Die Hard (2013). Willis played police officer John McClane, who takes down terrorists like Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) in a pretty spectacular manner. His line, “Yippee ki yay m***** f*****” has become one of the most quoted lines of any film he’s ever been in. Will 20th Century Fox make a sixth film? It certainly looks that way . Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight: Pulp Fiction (1994) In Quentin Tarantino ’s Pulp Fiction, Willis plays a prizefighter named Butch Coolidge in the segment “The Gold Watch.” He intentionally loses a boxing match because of a deal he makes with Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames). Things don’t go as planned for Marsellus when Butch kills his opponent and takes the money.

The end of the segment is definitely memorable and involves a guy in a bondage suit. Trust us, if you haven’t seen it, there is really no way to describe it. Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight: 12 Monkeys (1995) In 12 Monkeys, Willis plays James Cole, a convict in the year 2027 who will receive a pardon if he travels back in time to 1996 when a virus forced humans to live underground and stop it. He accidentally ends up in 1990 and sent to a mental hospital. There he meets Jeffrey Goines ( Brad Pitt ) who tries to help him break out. Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight: The Fifth Element (1997) In this classic sci-fi film set in the 23rd century, Willis tries to once again save the Earth as Korben Dallas, a taxicab driver and former special forces major. When a mysterious woman named Leeloo ( Milla Jovovich ) in an outfit repeatedly cosplayed at conventions, falls into his cab, he embarks on a journey to retrieve four very special stones to help defend the planet.

If you’ve ever heard anyone refer to “Multipass,” this is the movie it’s from. Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight: Armageddon (1998) Michael Bay ‘s Armageddon was the highest grossing film of 1998 and did well, even after a similar movie Deep Impact was released first. Willis plays deep sea oil driller Henry Stamper, who is contacted by NASA to help them blow apart an asteroid headed toward Earth. If he can’t do it, it will wipe out all life on the planet. Things don’t end well for Harry, but he sacrifices himself to save his daughter’s boyfriend and save the world. Doesn’t he always? Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight: The Sixth Sense (1999) This is the film that put director M. Night Shyamalan on the map with its big twist. Willis plays Dr. Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist shot by a former patient. He begins treating a child who says he can speak to the dead. The twist? Well, we won’t spoil it for you if you haven’t seen the film, but once you know, it all seem so obvious. The most quotable line from this film?

“I see dead people.” Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight: Sin City (2005) Before working with director Robert Rodriguez on Planet Terror, the second half of the double feature Grindhouse, Willis took on a role in the black and white noir film Sin City. The film was based on the graphic novel from Frank Miller, who also wrote (along with Rodriguez) and directed (with Rodriguez and Tarantino). It was almost a direct translation from the comic. In the segment “That Yellow Bastard,” Willis plays detective John Hartigan who saves a young Nancy Callahan (Jessica Alba) and goes to jail. After many years of letters, the now-exotic dancer who loves Hartigan is kidnapped. Once again, Willis’ character sacrifices himself to save someone he loves. Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight: RED (2010) In another comic book adaptation, Willis plays Frank Moses, a retired CIA officer who spends his days talking to Sarah the pension check lady ( Mary-Louise Parker ) on the phone. When he realizes his phone is being tapped, he kidnaps Sarah to save her life.

While on the run with her, he rounds up a gang of his old CIA buddies and tries to figure out who is trying to kill them all. Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight: The Expendables 2 (2012) Though he made an uncredited cameo in the Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger (whom he appeared with for the first time on screen) film The Expendables in 2010 as Mr. Church, the role was expanded in the sequel, The Expendables 2. The film is notable for not only bringing together the action stars from the first film, but adding even more. Bruce Willis Movies and TV Spotlight: Looper (2012) In Looper, Willis once again takes on time travel as he plays the future version of Joe ( Joseph Gordon-Levitt ). Joe is a “looper,” a hitman who is sent back in time to take down future criminals. These agents eventually “close the loop” and kill their future selves. However, once young Joe learns that the mysterious Rainmaker is closing all the loops, things get complicated. The film is especially notable for the prosthetics worn by Gordon-Levitt to make him look more like Willis.

What’s your favorite Bruce Willis role? Let us know in the comments below! (Photo Credit: FayesVision / WENN.com) Actors who turned down ‘Die Hard’ Actors who turned down ‘Die Hard’ Meriah Doty Bruce Willis as John McClane in 1988's 'Die Hard' More Believe it or not, Bruce Willis' transformation from television star into bona fide big screen action hero almost didn't happen. Heck, it wasn't supposed to happen. Up until the film's release in 1988, "Die Hard" had a long and somewhat sordid Hollywood history. (And it continues to have a long Hollywood history 25 years later with the release of its fifth installment this weekend -- " A Good Day To Die Hard .") The first film in the famed action franchise is based on a book -- the second in a series, to be specific. And its first installment --"The Detective," published in 1966 -- was also made into a film. The crime drama "The Detective" (1968) starred none other than the Chairman of the Board himself -- Frank Sinatra.

It was not only a box office success, but was also considered one of Sinatra's most intense acting performances to date. [Related: 'A Good Day to Die Hard' live London premiere ] So it makes sense that when author Roderick Thorp wrote his followup, "Nothing Lasts Forever," more than a decade later, Sinatra had dibs on its planned adaptation to the big screen. In fact, the studio was reportedly contractually obligated to offer Sinatra the part in spite of him being 73-years-old at the time. Sinatra turned down the role. The story was then altered to bear no connection to its predecessor and was actually shopped around as a sequel to "Commando." But Arnold Schwarzenegger had no interest in reprising his role. Ironically, the film's producers are said to have then started pitching the film as a who's who of action heroes -- attempting to attach multiple names including Sylvester Stallone and Harrison Ford to the project. Sound familiar? (*Cough* "The Expendables" series!) "Die Hard" was offered to virtually every big name action star of the era.

Burt Reynolds, Don Johnson and Richard Gere are said to have turned it down and Stallone verified years later that he, in fact, turned it down, too. More Enter Bruce Willis. The studio had their leading man. But up until that point, Willis was only known for his television role -- as the rather un-serious detective David Addison on ABC's "Moonlighting" (opposite Cybill Shepherd). They didn't have faith in his action star appeal -- and the film's initial marketing campaign reflected such. Willis' face was decidedly not the focal point of the film's billboards and posters. "Die Hard" went on to be a box office smash, presumably leading Willis and studio execs alike to do their own version of the film's famed line "Yippee-ki-yay, mother------." Watch 'Die Hard' 25th Anniversary Blu-ray Clip: Follow me on Twitter ( @meriahonfiah ) Reblog Bruce Willis' John McClane teams up with son Jack in explosive new Die Hard trailer | Daily Mail Online comments He has been fighting crime independently for the past four films.

But in the latest installment in the Die Hard franchise, Bruce Willis' John McClane teams up with son Jack - and the pair certainly make an explosive team. In a new trailer for the upcoming A Good Day To Die Hard, John is seen heading to Moscow to get his son out of some trouble he had found himself in. Scroll down for video Explosive action: Bruce Willis as John McClane teams up with his estranged son, played by Jai Courtney, in the new trailer for the upcoming A Good Day To Die Hard What are YOU doing here? Jack looks stunned as his former policeman dad rescues him from a police motorcade in Moscow However, things never go smoothly for a McClane, and the action kicks off soon after he arrives in the Russian city. The trailer kicks off with John being dropped off at the airport by daughter Lucy (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead) ahead of his flight to Russia, with her begging him: 'Dad, try not to make an even bigger mess of things!' John can then be heard in the background muttering his now infamous phrase 'Yippee-ki-yay' as he boards the plane. Are you an American?

John has a brief peaceful period after arriving in Moscow, but that soon changes after his cab driver realises he is a policeman High-octane: The motorcade is thrown off by a huge explosion as John battles to rescue his son Once in Russia, shown by the famous cupolas in Moscow, John takes a cab from the airport, with the driver asking him: 'You American? You a cop?' At that point, John considers his options, before saying, 'Yes!' The driver is then seen locking his car, and saying the immortal 'Welcome to Russia!', as the action and explosions really kick off. John interrupts a motorcade transporting his son Jack (played by Jai Courtney) and, much to the disbelief of his offspring, manages to aid his escape from captivity. Here come the villains! As with all Die Hard movies, there is an easily hate-able villain Action packed: The trailer shows that the movie - the fifth in the franchise - is going to be as full of action as its predecessors After he gets over the shock of his father being in Russia, and doing his utmost to help his son, Jack and John begin working together.

Exploding cars, high-octane car chases, helicopter flying and a lot of gun fire follow in quick succession, showing that the fifth installment of the Die Hard franchise is not going to lose anything in terms of the action it will offer fans. At the end of the trailer, after he and Jack have jumped through a plate glass window, John is seen asking his son: 'Want a hug?' Stripping off: Yuliya Snigir provides some much needed sex appeal in the new movie, as she strips off her motorcycle leathers He doesn't mind! The camera then flashes to John, who grins widely as he watches her shed her clothes And when Jack replies, 'We're not really a hugging family', John responds, 'Damn straight!' Speaking previously about the movie, which is due for release on St Valentine's Day 2013, producer Tom Rothman told MTV News: 'It’s all set in Russia. Well there’s bookend scenes in New York, but it’s John McClane, goes to Russia and I think the technical term... is f***s everything up. 'The kid is more like the father than the father thinks.

So it’s very, like all the best of the classic Die Hards, very emotionally driven and very kick-ass.' Family affair: The trailer begins with John's daughter Lucy (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead) dropping him off at the airport Deep in thought: John looks pensive as he boards the plane to head to Russia A poster for the film, obtained by Entertainment Weekly, also gives a taste of what's to come with the film. Bearing the head shot of a sweaty McClane, the posted features his famous slogan with one addition, reading 'Yippee-ki-yay Mother Russia!' A taste of what's to come: The poster for the film gives McClane's famous slogan a tweak Misery Broadway | Misery Tickets & Reviews | Misery the Play Running since October 2015 Emmy Award winners Bruce Willis and Laurie Metcalf star in a new adaptation of Stephen King's spine-tingling thriller. The Broadway production of Misery closed February 14, 2016. For current Broadway show listings and tickets, please click here .

From the producers: Following a near fatal car accident, a world-famous novelist finds himself in a strange house being nursed back to health by his doting, self-proclaimed Number One Fan. But as her love for his work turns to dangerous obsession, he realizes he must plot his greatest story yet: how to escape with his life. The new play has a script by Academy Award winner William Goldman ("The Princess Bride"), who returns to Broadway for the first time since his 1962 play "A Family Affair." He also wrote the screenplay to the 1990 film adaptation, which starred James Caan and Kathy Bates, who won an Academy and Golden Globe Award for her performance. Bruce Willis begn his career on the Off-Broadway stage and then in television in the 1980s, most notably as David Addison in "Moonlighting." He is perhaps best known for his role of John McClane in the "Die Hard" film series.

He has appeared in over sixty films, including "Pulp Fiction," "12 Monkeys," "The Fifth Element," "The Sixth Sense," "Unbreakable," and "Sin City." Laurie Metcalf earned her most recent Tony nomination in 2013 for "The Other Place." She was also nominated in 2009 for her performance in "November." Metcalf earned three Emmy Awards for her work on the TV series “Roseanne." Loading...

Question: Bruce Willis is best known for his role of John McCain in which film series?
Answer: Die Hard